Milk Allergy in a Baby and a Rash

When a mother notices a rash on her baby, it can be quite alarming. Rashes can be caused by many things in infants, including milk allergies. Milk allergies can be caused by infant formula and by breastfeeding mothers consuming dairy products. This can be managed at home, but parents should always visit the family doctor if there is a concern about the baby.

Milk Allergies in Babies

According to Dr. Paul's website, allergies to cow's milk are common in babies and young children. Many children grow out of this allergy by 3 years old, but it can still be troubling when it happens to young babies. The allergy to cow's milk is caused by the milk protein. Breastfed babies are less likely to have allergic reactions, but in some cases, milk allergies do occur. Formula-fed infants tend to have milk allergies more often than breastfed babies. Milk allergies can cause rashes, abdominal pains, vomiting and diarrhea. If parents suspect a baby has allergies, he should see the family doctor.

Causes of Rashes in Babies

In young babies, rashes can be very common, yet still surprising to parents. As mentioned on Dr. Sears' website, there are a number of things that cause infant rashes, including allergies, viral illnesses, bug bites and heat rash. Babies can also develop a rash around the mouth from rubbing against parents' clothing, drooling and pacifier use. If parents notice a strange rash on the baby, a call to the doctor may be an easy way to get some answers.

Treatment of Baby Milk Allergy

If parents suspect a milk allergy in the baby, you can try several things at home. If the baby is breastfed, the mother can eliminate dairy products from her own diet. Milk protein can pass through breast milk, so often the allergy symptoms can be cleared up simply by a dairy-free diet. Kids Health mentions that parents of a formula-fed infant can try switching to a soy-based formula. If soy still causes a reaction, there are hypoallergenic formulas that parents can try. If the baby eats solids, parents should be sure to avoid feeding her any dairy in her own diet. If these steps don't eliminate the symptoms, then parents should phone the family doctor.

Treatment of Rashes in Babies

Depending on the cause of an infant rash, there are a few treatments available. If the rash is caused by allergies, simply eliminating these from the diet can work wonders. If the rash is viral, parents should figure out what the doctor recommends for the baby, although viruses tend to clear up with time. Heat rash can be reduced by keeping the baby in cool clothing and out of the sun. Rashes around the mouth are common in babies and young children and can be hard to prevent. Dr. Sears mentions that rashes around the mouth are a normal part of childhood.

When To Be Concerned

If a baby has a rash but is still behaving normally, it is probably not necessary to visit a doctor. If the rash is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a fever and vomiting, then it would be a good idea to take the baby in for an appointment. Any rash lasting longer than four weeks should be checked by a professional. If the rash doesn't turn white when pressed or appears to be flat and under the skin, it requires urgent attention. This is called petechiae, and, according to Dr. Sears, this can be a sign of a serious infection. Parents should always check to make sure rashes are not petechiae.